Methods and apparatus for generating hydrodynamic energy and electrical energy generating systems employing the same

A method for generating hydrodynamic energy, the method comprising:

• providing:
• a conduit including an upflow section and an input port disposed at a lower portion of the upflow section, the conduit for receiving a working liquid having an ambient temperature and a boiling point;
• a supply subsystem including a vessel in communication with the input port of the conduit, the supply subsystem configured to provide to the conduit via the vessel a pumping liquid having a boiling point greater than the ambient temperature of the working liquid and less than the boiling point of the working liquid;
• and
• heating the working liquid to a temperature greater than the boiling point of the liquid by a predetermined differential so that the pumping liquid is vaporized upon passing through the input port into the working liquid, thereby generating pumping gas and causing the working liquid to flow upwardly in the upflow section and to circulate in the conduit.

An electricity generating system comprising:

• a conduit including an upflow section and an input port disposed at a lower portion of the upflow section, the conduit for receiving a working liquid having an ambient temperature and a boiling point;
• a supply subsystem including a vessel in communication with the input port of the conduit, the supply subsystem configured to provide to the conduit via the vessel a pumping liquid having a boiling point greater than the ambient temperature of the working liquid and less than the boiling point of the working liquid;
• a heating subsystem configured to heat the working liquid received within the conduit to a temperature greater than the boiling point of the pumping liquid by a predetermined differential such that the pumping liquid is vaporized after passing through the input port into the working fluid, thereby generating pumping gas that causes the working liquid to flow upwardly in the upflow section and to circulate the working liquid within the conduit, thereby generating hydrodynamic energy;
• and
• an electrical generating plant configured to harness the hydrodynamic energy of the working liquid to generate electricity.